Envelope opener



y 1969 E. G. MARBAN 3,442,438

ENVELOPE OPENER Filed May 11, 1967 Sheet of 2 INVENTOR. ENRIQUE G. MARBAN BYMQWYL TTORNEY May 6, 1969 Filed May 11, 1967 E. G. MARBAN ENVELOPE OPENER Sheet of 2 4| INVEN TOR.

ENRIQUE G. MARBAN 259 ATTORNEY.

United States Patent 3,442,438 ENVELOPE OPENER Enrique G. Marban, New York, N.Y. (505 N. Lakeshore Drive, Chicago, Ill. 60611) Filed May 11, 1967, Ser. No. 702,147 Int. Cl. B65d 27/32, 27/00; B43n /00, 7/00 US. Cl. 229-85 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A quick-opening envelope containing a stiff backing member which protrudes at one end from the envelope and serves as a means of tearing it open, the backing memher having correspondence papers afiixed thereto which are removed automatically from within the envelope when the backing member tears its way out upon being pulled at its exposed end.

This invention relates generally to mail envelopes and, more specifically, to quick-opening mail envelopes.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a quick-opening mail envelope whereby being opened up, the contents include return papers already folded so as to influence an immediate re-insertion thereof into a return envelope, thus promoting a prompt response.

Another object is to provide a quick-opening envelope that does not require a letter opener or other accessory for being opened.

Another object is to provide a quick-opening envelope wherein the contents protrude from the envelope to form a manually operable member used to open the envelope.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a jet mailer comprised of an envelope in combination with its contents wherein all the said contents are removed automatically together from the envelope, thus eliminat ing the possibility of leaving behind any important papers to be unknowingly discarded with the envelope.

Yet another object is to provide a jet mailer that self addresses return cards.

Yet another object is to provide a jet mailer that must be torn to be opened, and accordingly cannot be secretly opened.

Yet another object is to provide a jet mailer wherein the tearing action is easy and clean-cut due to the diagonal position of the cutting edges relative to the edge being torn.

Other objects are to provide a jet mailer which is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy to use and efficient in operation.

These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification and the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention shown assembled;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the contents being removed from the envelope;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a backing member that forms a part of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing a modified form of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the letter or other correspondence forming a part of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the letter or correspondence shown secured to the backing member;

FIG. 7 is a top pattern view of an envelope blank that forms a part of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 of a modified design and FIG. 9 is a rear elevation view of the envelope blank 3,442,438 Patented May 6, 1969 illustrated in FIGURE 8, and shown folded to form an envelope.

Referring now to the drawingin detail, the reference numeral 10 represents generally a jet mailer according to the present invention including an envelope member indicated generally at 11 and an insert member indicated generally at 12 that forms the contents of the envelope member.

The insert 12 includes a flat backing member indicated generally at 13 to which a letter or other correspondence indicated generally at 14 is affixed. The backing member 13 is die cut from a relatively stiff paper or cardboard, and is of elongated character, having a generally arrow configuration with an enlarged tapered portion 15 at one longitudinal end formed by converging edges 16 that meet at a rounded point 17. The remaining contour 18 of the backing member may be variously configurated as desired for any pleasing appearance or specific purpose, as is illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4, for example, the backing member 13a illustrated in FIGURE 4 is generally rectangular to include large surfaces which may be used for containing imprinted advertising or other visual material on one or both sides. The backing member 13b illustrated in FIGURE 3 has a rectangular cut out portion at one corner as indicated by edges 20, to possibly save on stock material in production of the backing member or for decreasing the weight thereof so as to keep down postage costs. Adhesive 21, such as glue or the like, is applied to one side 22 of the backing member for the purpose of affixing thereto the correspondence 14, the adhesive being applied in the shape of a linear strip 23 along a longitudinal edge 24 of the backing member. Sidewardly protruding spurs 16a at the ends of the tapered edges are for a purpose to be later described in the operative use of the invention.

The correspondence 14 may include a letter, an order blank, coupon, contract or any other material, a portion of which is returnable to the sender and which, it will be noted, is already provided with fold lines so that it can be inserted with least attention and effort into a return envelope, thus promoting a prompt response.

The envelope member 11 is die cut from a sheet of paper stock to form an envelope blank indicated generally at 25 which is divided by means of fold lines into a central panel having foldable flaps therearound. Thus, as is illustrated in FIGURES 7 and 8, the blank 25 has an irregularly configurated edge 26 forming flaps around a substantially rectangular, central panel 27 which forms a front panel of the finally folded envelope, the panel 27 having a fold line 28 along one longitudinal edge to define a bottom flap 29. Another fold line 30 along an opposite longitudinal edge of panel 27 defines a top or closure flap 31. A fold line 32 along one side edge of the panel, and a fold line 33 along an opposite side edge define side flaps 34 and 35, respectively. As is readily evident in FIGURES 7 and 8, either of the bottom or side flaps are provided with adhesive so that these three flaps may be joined together after being folded, so to form a pocket 36 into which the insert 12 may be received for mailing. Thus, as shown, the bottom flap 29 is provided with adhesive 37 along each side thereof adjacent to the side edges 39' and 40 for securement to both side flaps.

In the present invention, a slot or opening 41 is centrally die cut in a longitudinal midportion of the fold line 32 for the purpose of receiving therethrough the rounded tip or point 17 of the backing member. In the present invention, the envelope member also includes a finger tab 42 (FIGS. 1 and 9) formed along the edge 40 of the bottom flap 29, which will remain exposed after the envelope is fully formed so that it may be held between the fingers when the envelope is later opened. It is to be noted that the finger tab 42 is located on an opposite longitudinal end of the envelope relative to the end thereof having the slot 41.

It is to be further noted that the envelope member 11 may be of any size or style and may be made plain as shown in FIG. 8, or with window 43 as shown in FIG- URE 7 to expose the name and address on the letter salutation to the mailman. Likewise the side flap 34 may be relatively stubby as shown in FIGURE 8 or longas shown in FIG. 7. Additionally, the edge 44 of the bottom flap may include a notch 45 (as shown in FIG. 8) so as to expose a portion of the adhesive 46 applied along edge 47 of the flap 31 and so as to allow the adhesive in this exposed area to seal against a part of the correspondence that is intended to be retained Within the envelope while the remainder thereof is withdrawn upon opening the envelope, for purposes of various advertising schemes or the like, whereby a person will look into the envelope for the missing portion, after being previously informed in the previously withdrawn portion of the correspondence.

In operative use, the correspondence is prepared and affixed to the backing member by means of the adhesive strip 23. The correspondence is then folded over that it will fit into the envelope. The insert being thus assembled, is then inserted into the envelope with the rounded point 17 of the backing member protruding out of the slot 41. It is to be noted that the backing member is of a length relative to the envelope pocket whereby it will not slide longitudinally therewithin, and the rounded point 17 will at all times remain extended out of the slot 41. It is to be further noted that the edge 48 on the backing member, which is opposite the end having the rounded point, is slightly diagonal respective to the longitudinal edges, thus indicating that a corner has been cut oif so as to allow pivotal movement of the backing member about the point 17 in slot 41 during insertion into the envelope. Thereatfer the closure flap 31 is sealed.

After the jet mailer is delivered it is then opened in the manner described below and following the instructions 49 imprinted on the outer side of the envelope, the operative parts being indicated by arrows S and 51. As shown in FIG. 2, the protruding rounded point serves as a tab for the insert which is grasped between the fingers of a persons one hand 52 while the tab 42 of the envelope is grasped by the persons other hand 53. The tabs are then pulled in opposite directions as indicated by double headed arrow 54. This causes the diagonal edges 16 of the stiif backing to gradually tear open the sealed envelope along fold line 32 and at the same time withdraw the insert completely from the envelope through the torn opening. It will be noted that the spurs 16a assure that the torn opening will be sufiiciently large to allow easy removal of the remainder of the backing body together with any correspondence that may be wrapped therearound or folded adjacent thereto. The corresponding enclosure then may be read, and being already prefolded any part thereof may with no extra effort be easily slipped into a return envelope for return to the sender.

It is to be noted that while the letterhead is prefolded it will contain at least one carbonless copies 14a, 14b, etc., also prefolded like an accordion, and lying between the letterhead and the advertising backing. Furthermore, the copies are electrostatically held between the letterhead and the advertising backing and remain therein by the accordionlike folds and are released by pulling the bottom edges of the copies from the letterhead and the backing.

Furthermore, the letterhead and backing member 13-are held together to the backing member 13 by gluing along a perforated line at one edge of the backing member.

With regard to flap 34 in FIG. 7, it will be noted that the same is elongated in order to facilitate removal of the insert from the envelope and to prevent ripping of the flap.

I claim:

1. In a jet mailer, the combination of an envelope and an insert receivable within said envelope, said insert when .4 placed and sealed within said envelope having self-contained means for tearing open said envelope for withdrawal therefrom, said insert comprising an elongated, flat stiff backing member of substantially arrow shaped configuration, said backing member being tapered at one end by means of a pair of converging edges terminating in a substantially rounded point, the longitudinal side edges of said backing member being substantially parallel, the opposite end of said backing member having a straight end edge that is slightly diagonal from a perpendicular plane relative to said side edges, and said backing member having means for affixing one or several sheets of correspondence thereto, said afiixing means comprising adhesive, and said correspondence being adapted to be folded selectively around said backing member or adjacent one side thereof, said backing member provided with a sidewardly extending spur at the opposite ends of each of said diagonal edges of said tapered end so as to insure the tearing open of said envelope sufliciently to permit withdrawal therefrom of said afiixed correspondence folded around or adjacent to said backing member, an obtuse corner formed by said diagonal end edge and one of said side edges cut away forming a deep notch in the body of said backing member, the opposite sides of said backing member comprising surfaces for carrying imprinted advertising, said envelope being formed from a fiat envelope blank having an irregular peripheral edge, said blank being divided by means of a plurality of fold lines into a central, substantially rectangular panel, a bottom flap, a pair of opposite side flaps and a top flap, adhesive carried on one side of and adjacent a pair of side edges of said bottom flap for securement to said side flaps when folded over, whereby to form a pocket of said envelope for receiving therewithin said insert, and said envelope having a short slot along a side fold line forming one side end of said envelope when folded, said slot receiving said rounded end of said backing member to protrude therethrough outward of said envelope for manual grasp thereof between the fingers of a persons one hand, said envelope being further provided with an endwardly extending tab at the end of said envelope remote from the end having said slot, said tab being formed along a side edge of said bottom flap, said tab providing a means for being grasped between the fingers of a persons other hand to pull apart said backing member from said envelope, thus causing the said diagonal edges at the tapered end of said backing member to tear open said envelope end having said slot so as to remove said insert from said envelope, said backing member being substantially equal in length to said envelope pocket whereby to prevent said rounded point from disengaging said slot, adhesive being applied on one side of said top flap, said adhesive extend ing the full length of said flap, for securement to said bottom flap when said envelope is sealed, and said bottom flap having a notch in the longitudinal edge thereof to avoid securement at said notch with said top flap adhesive, said adhesive of said top flap at said notch being secured to a part of said insert when said envelope is sealed to prevent withdrawal of said part when the remainder of said insert is pulled out upon opening said envelope.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,039,899 10/1912 Cole 229- 2,148,887 2/1939 Wanser. 2,335,115 11/ 1943 Gresser 229-85 3,086,694 4/ 1963 Tucker et a1. 22968 FOREIGN PATENTS 9,971 1/ 1909 France. 11,897 1901 Great Britain.

DAVID M. BOCKENEK, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 229-68 

